QuestionDear Kevin,
I would like to ask your expert opinion of a couple of things related to a speaker package I am looking into buying. I am trying to decide between two Yamaha systems (one being 5.1 and the other 6.1), and a 6.1 JBL system. Some of the specs of the three systems are listed below, as you being an expert on this subject may understand better. My receiver by the way is a Kenwood 5.1 channel surround, with speaker output of 100 watts per channel minimum RMS. It is also has a rating of 8 ohms nominal impedance.
JBL (SCS-136S1) ($200)
System:
*35 Hz-20 kHz (-6dB) frequency response
Satellites:
* 1/2” titanium-laminate dome tweeter and 3” midrange driver construction
* 8 ohms nominal impedance
Center:
* same config. as the satellites except for dual 3” drivers
Subwoofer:
* 100 watts RMS
* 8” woofer, bass-reflex enclosure
YAMAHA 5.1 system (NS-P220) ($140)
Satellites:
* 2 way acoustic suspension speaker system
* 3-1/8” cone type driver and 3/4" balanced dome tweeter
* 6 ohms impedance
* 140 Hz-27 kHz frequency response
Center:
* same specs. as the satellites
Subwoofer:
* Advanced Yamaha Active Servo Technology
* 6-5/16” cone woofer driver
* 50W/5 ohms amplifier output
* 30 Hz-200 Hz (-10dB) frequency response
YAMAHA 6.1 system (NS-P236) ($154)
Satellites:
* full range acoustic suspension speaker system
* 2” full range cone speaker x 2
* 6 ohms impedance
* 100 Hz-30 kHz frequency response
Center:
* same specs. as the satellites except frequency response is 75Hz to 30kHz
Subwoofer:
* Advanced Yamaha Active Servo Technology
* 6-1/2” cone woofer driver
* 55W/5 ohms amplifier output
* 30 Hz-200 Hz (-10dB) frequency response
A couple concerns I have with these systems, other than which will sound best, is should impedance of the speakers match that of the receiver, which in the Yamahas' it doesn't (they seem to manufacture all their speakers at 6 ohms, I'm not sure why)? Also, I heard that a center speaker should always have 2 or more drivers, which the Yamaha 5.1 doesn't, or else it is worthless. Is this true? Thirdly, what is the best kind of configuration for small satellites, meaning ,is it better if they have a midrange, or woofer, and tweeter for highs (Yamaha 5.1 and JBL), or is it better if they just have full range drivers, (Yamaha 6.1). What about size of the drivers and tweeters, does that make a big difference in sound? It seems like manufacturers could only do so much with small speakers, although Bose, being the world's smallest, always sound really good.
AnswerDear Dave,
When it comes to speakers, I have a number of "rules of thumb", one of which is: never buy Japanese speakers. This is because they're voiced differently, that is they're preengineered to accent certain tonal qualities and frequency ranges that are oftimes discordant to the western ear. Sorry, but I think that just aced the Yamahas for you. Although I respect Yamaha components (along with Denon, Nakamichi, Onkyo, Denon and some Sony and less JVC; I've had issues with Kenwood's build quality, but I hear they've been improving) as having acceptable quality, their speakers fall into the same bucket as all the rest.
Impedance matching re speakers and nominal specs on a receiver isn't necessary. What receiver specs do is give you an idea of the power output into a nominal impedance figure. In fact speakers, depending on the loudness and frequency of the source material, can exhibit wild swings in impedance, anywhere from 2 to 12 ohms. If your receiver puts out, say, 100 watts RMS into 8 ohms, it will put out 150 watts into 6 ohm speakers: receivers are designed to compensate for different impedances. If they weren't, and you could truly only get 100 watts into 8 ohms, you'd hear only about 10 seconds out of every minute of music!
I don't think full range speakers are necessary for either the center channel or surround speakers. The center channel speaker is 99% dialog reinforcement, so a single driver speaker will work just fine (I use a Mirage OmniSat Micro with only one driver for my center channel). The surrounds only carry ambient information: crowd noise, the approach of a battle cruiser, the telltale tread of a squeaky stair, someone speaking offstage. And the best surrounds do it without you even noticing they're there. Most modern surrounds have a small midrange (3" +/-) and a tweeter, which is more than enough to enable lifelike surround sound. Bigger drivers, except for exceptionally large venues, say 25'x25' and bigger, are a waste of money.
However, I urge you to get full range speakers for the front channels. First, that's where soundtracks pack 90% of the audio information. Second, when you're done with movies, they make excellent stereo music speakers. Instead of buying those cheap "systems", I'd suggest a couple of PSB Alphas (small--if space is your issue--and great sounding) as your front channel speakers, PSB Image 1Bs or 2Bs if you want to spend a bit more, and the Mirage OmniSat Micros for your center channel and surrounds. You'll get great sound, and you won't need to upgrade for a very, very long time.
If you must buy a system, the JBL is servicable, though I'd check out offerings from Polk Audio, Cambridge Audio, and Boston Acoustics--they all make inexpensive lines which offer excellent sound.
Good luck. And thanks for choosing allexperts.com!
Kindest regards,
Kevin
